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DESCRIPTION 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28cm). Body bluish-black with white on rump and sides of tail. Underparts bold chestnut, beak black, eyes blackish-brown and feet and legs deep yellow. In female, black areas are greyish-brown and chestnut is ruddy fawn.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION India, and Indo-China, with 20 subspecies in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, China and Malaysia.
HABITAT Shama Thrush needs nests in holes and cracks, especially in bamboo.
DIET Egg, caterpillars (without hair), raw minced beef, universal food, thrush food, earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles and white worms. Also insects during rearing.
SPECIAL NEEDS Separate pair from other birds if plan to breed.
CAGE LIFE The Shama Thrush is pleasant with attractive voice, adept at imitating thrush and nightingale songs, as well as other noises such as creaking. Once acclimatized, can spend winter in draft-free aviary if night shelter provided. Aviary should have sufficient hiding places like shrubbery and undergrowth because hen withdraws during breeding cycle to avoid pursuing male. Nest cup-shaped, prefers lining of moss, hair, hemp fibres, twigs and small pieces of fabric. Lays 3 to 6 eggs in varied blues and greens with brown markings, incubation 11 to 12 days mainly by female, fledging 12 to 13 days, able to eat without hen after about 30 days. Once ready to fly, confine parents from joining them in freedom.
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